1810
Founding of Friedrich Wilhelm-Universitat (based upon a royal decree of 1807), located in the former Palace of Prince Heinrich on the Unter den
Linden, Berlin. Wilhelm von Humboldt is in charge of its organization; Johann Gottlieb Fichte is appointed professor and rector (1810-1814). The university becomes a center for the cultivation of German patriotism despite the French occupation of the city.
10 May
Upon the recommendations of Wilhelm von Humboldt, director of the office Kultus und otlentlichen Unterrichts in the ministry of the interior,
and Peter Christian Wilhelm Beuth (1781-1853), Friedrich Wilhelm III confirms Schinkel's appointment to Prussia's Oberbaudeputation (office
for the financial regulation and supervision of state and royal building commissions, founded 1806) with the rank of Geheimer Oberbauassessor. He is charged with the supervision of the design and "aesthetics" of civic, royal, and religious buildings in Prussia. In addition, he is responsible for the control of architectural preservation throughout the kingdom (bauästhetische und denkmalspflegerische Kontrolle).
19 July
Death of Queen Luise of Prussia. (born 1776) at Hohenzieritz, near Neustrelitz/Mecklenburg.
Schinkel collaborates with Friedrich Wilhelm III and Heinrich Gentz in the design of a mausoleum for Queen Luise at Schlosspark Charlottenburg.
Constructed, 1810-1811; limestone portico replaced by granite, 1828 (old portico re-erected as a memorial on the Pfaueninsel/Havel); additions,
1841 and 1889; interior sculptures by Christian Daniel Rauch (1777-1857); building restored after World War II, now open to the public. Location: Berlin/West, Schlosspark Charlottenburg.
Exhibition of paintings by Caspar David Friedrich (l774-1840) is held at the Akademie der Künste in Berlin. Friedrich Wilhelm III purchases
two of the best paintings for his private collection. Schinkel's own work is ohviously influenced after he sees this exhibition of Romantic landscapes.
December
Christmas exhibition in Berlin sponsored by Gropius; Schinkel exhibits a large painting of the Markusplatz zu Venedig.
1811
Schinkel's activities are largely dictated by his position in the Oberbaudeputation. Owing to the continued French occupation, however, there is little new construction.
13 March
Schinkel is appointed to the Königlich Preussische Akademie der Küste
in Berlin.
July
Schinkel travels with his wife to Dresden, Prague, Salzburg, and Bad Gastein; in Bohemia he is accornpanied by the poet Clemens von Brentano;
he visits art galleries and continues his landscape painting.
Schinkel prepares and publishes designs for the reconstruction of Cölln's old Petrikirche (recently destroyed by fire). For additional efforts, see 1814.
Schinkel designs a cast-iron memorial monument to Queen Luise at Gransee/Mark Brandenburg and another memorial, the Luisenpforte, at the royal estate of Paretz, near Potsdam.
3 October
Death of Heinrich Gentz in Berlin.
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1812
June
Napoleon invades Russia, captures Moscow (14 Sept.).
Schinkel prepares first design for the Singakademie in Berlin; not realized. For additional designs, see 1821.
Schinkel designs first scheme for the partial remodeling of the interior of the former palace of Prince Heinrich in Berlin (orig. 1748-1753 by
Johann Baumann), which had housed the Friedrich Wilhelm-Universität since 1810. Second scheme of 1813 executed; building damaged during World War II; restored; now Humboldt-Universitat, Location: Berlin/DDR, Bebelplatz, Unter den Linden.
Schinkel executes a large drawing of the west facade of the cathedral of Strassburg and anot her of the cathedral of Milan.
December
Christmas exhibition in Berlin sponsored by Gropius; Schinkel exhibits a panorama with moveable figures and special lighting effects entitled
Die Sieben Weltwunder.
1813
16 March
Prussia joins Russia (Treaty of Kalisch) and declares the Freiheitskrieg (War of Liberation) against Napoleon. From Breslau Friedrich Wilhelm III issues the proclamation "An Mein Volk."
27 April
The French garrison leaves Berlin and the fortress of Spandau.
Schinkel trains for the Landsturm (national guard) with Achim von Arnim and Friedrich Karl von Savigny, but is never sent into combat.
Schinkel collaborates with Friedrich Wilhelm III in the design of the Iron Cross (Eiserne Kreuz], Prussia's famous military citation.
Schinkel proposes an extensive remodeling scheme for the interior of Langhans' Nationaltheater am Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin; not accepted.
Schinkel designs and executes (until 1814) a cycle of six oil paintings, Die Tageszeiten, for the Berlin town house of Jean Paul Humbert, a silk manufacturer. These paintings were exhibited in the Schinkel-Museum located in the former Kronprinzen Palais, 1931-1945; lost after World War II.
Schinkel executes the oil painting Mtttelalterliche Stadt am Wasser; now at Neue Pinakothek, Munich; copy by August W. Ahlborn at Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin/West.
23 August
Prussian forces defeat the French in the battle of Gross-Beeren, south of Berlin.
16-19 October
Völkerschlacht (Battle of Nations) near Leipzig; Napoleon is defeated.
December
Christmas exhibition in Berlin sponsored bv Gropius; Schinkel exhibits a large panorama, Der Brand von Moskau, animated by special lighting effects; it is a popular success.
31 December
Prussian expeditionary force, under the command of Field Marshall von Blucher (1742-1819), crosses the Rhine at Kaub.
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1814
27 January
Death of Johann Gottlieb Fichte in Berlin.
31 March
Paris is captured; Austrian, Prussian, and Russian forces occupy the city.
11 April
Napoleon abdicates at Fontainebleau and is exiled to Elba; Bourbon dynasty restored in France.
Convening of the Congress of Vienna (until March 1815); Wilhelm von Humboldt is a leading Prussian delegate.
Schinkel submits designs for a national memorial church (Dom als Dunkrnal für den Freiheitskrieg) in Berlin with lengthy commentary and specifications. Project probably suggested by Friedrich Wilhelm III; later disregarded.
Schinkel proposes a large war memorial church outside Berlin; not realized. Project is later reduced in scope and built as the Kreuzberg monument at Tempelhof, south of the city; see 1818.
Schinkel prepares a second design for the reconstruction of the Petrikirche. Berlin-Cölln; not realized.
Schinkel designs the church at the village of Neu-Hardenberg. Executed, 1814-1817; additions, 1823; slightly damaged during World War II; restored. Location: Marxwalde, near Müncheberg, DDR.
December
Christmas exhibition in Berlin sponsored by Gropius; Schinkel exhibits a large panorama, Schlacht von Leipzig, a vivid pictorial commentary on the most dramatic event of the previous year.
1815
12 March
Schinkel is promoted to the rank of Geheimer Oberbaurath. in charge of the Berlin Bureau of the Prussian Oberbaudeputation.
20 March
Napoleon re-enters Paris.
18 June
Battle of Waterloo; Wellington and Blucher defeat Napoleon.
22 June
Napoleon abdicates; exiled to St. Helena.
6 July
The coalition troops re-enter Paris. Second peace treaty of Paris; Wilhelm von Humboldt is appointed Prussia's ambassador to France.
The most active period of Schinkel's career begins.
He prepares a study for the preservation of national historic monuments (Grundsätze zur Erhaltung alter Denkmaler und Alterturner unseres Landes) and thus lays the foundation for government protection of architectural monuments in Prussia.
Schinkel participates in a competition for a Walhalla in Bavaria. Accepted design by Leo von Klenze (1784-1864) executed, 1830-1842.
Schinkel begins designing stage settings for the Nationaltheater am
Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, now under the supervision of the Generalintendant der Schauspiele, Karl Graf von Brühl (1772-1837). He continues intermittently until 1832; some original sketches for stage scenery are preserved in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, DDR.
Schinkel designs twenty-six scenes for Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte (opening in Berlin, 1 Jan. 1816).
Schinkel designs the remodeling of the interior of the city palace of Prince August, uncle of Friedrich Wilhelm III, on the Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin. Executed, 1815-1817; some work continued until 1834; used as Reichsjustizministerium during 1930's; destroyed during World War II.
Schinkel executes two companion oil paintings: one depicting man's classical heritage, Griechische Landschaft mit Theater und Aufgang zur Akropolis (lost since 1945); the other depicting Germany's medieval past, Mittelalterliche Stadt an einem Fluss (now in Schinkel-Pavilion. Schlosspark Charlottenburg, Berlin/West).
December
Christmas exhibition in Berlin sponsored by Gropius; Schinkel exhibits a panorama of St. Helena.
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1816
2 April
Friedrich Wilhelm III commissions Schinkel to design the Neue Wache (new royal guardhouse) opposite his palace at the Platz am Zeughaus. Final design executed, 1817-1818; from 1918 to 1930 used for various purposes; remodeled by Heinrich Tessenow as Ehrenmal für die Gefallenen des Weltkrieges, 1930; known as Reichsehrenrnal, 1931-1945; damaged and vandalized during World War II; partial collapse of portico, 1950; building restored, 1950-1960; rededicated as Mahnmal für die Opfer des Faschismus und Militarismus, 8 May 1960; since October 1 969 also
Grabmal des Unbekannten Soldaten und Unbekannten Widerstandkämpfers.
27 April
Dedication of a cast-iron memorial monument to the dead of the War of Liberation, designed by Schinkel for Spandau. Preserved; now know as Schinkel-Denkmal. Heinrichsplatz, Berlin-Spandau.
Schinkel submits to the king several schemes for the renovation of the interior of the Dom am Lustgarten (orig. 1747-1750 by Johann Bournann):
accepted design executed, 1816-1817.
Schinkel prepares a site plan for the Grosse Stern (traffic circle) in the Tiergarten, as part of a total replanning scheme for the Tiergarten area (begun 1814); project partially realized after his death.
June
Schinkel goes to Heidelberg at the request of Prussia's Chancellor, Prince Carl August von Hardenberg (1750-1822), to try to obtain for Berlin the Boisserée collection of about 250 early Netherlandish and German paintings. Negotiations fail; collection purchased by Bavaria in 1827; now at the Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
12 July
Schinkel visits Goethe at Weimar.
He continues to Cologne and inspects the cathedral for possible restoration and completion. He then visits Mainz, Trier, Maria Laach, towns in the Netherlands, and Xanten. Numerous sketches from this trip are preserved in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, DDR.
2 August
Premier performance in Berlin of E. T. A. Hoffmann's opera Undine with stage scenery designed by Schinkel.
1817
Schinkel visits Stettin and other towns in Pomerania on an official inspection trip.
Schinkel designs a Rathaus for Berlin; not realized.
Schinkel designs the Lehr-Eskadron-Kaserne und Militärstrafanstalt. Berlin, Lindenstrasse. Executed, 1817-1818; later changes; destroyed
during World War II.
Schinkel designs the remodeling of the interior of the city palace of Prince Friedrich, nephew of Friedrich Wilhelm III, Berlin, Wilhelmstrasse. Executed, 1817ff.; main facade remodeled, 1852; used as the Reichsanstalt für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft in 1930's; interior gutted during World War II; ruins removed.
Schinkel executes the oil painting Triumphbogen für den Grossen Kurfürsten und Friedrich den Grossen (now in Schinkel-Pavilion. Schlosspark Charlottenburg, Berlin/West).
Schinkel presents recommendations for the preservation and restoration of the Cistercian monastery church of Chorin/Mark Brandenburg. Restoration and archaeological excavations continued as late as 1959. Location: Chorin, near Eberswalde/DDR.
Schinkel designs stage scenery for the opera Alceste by Christoph Willibald Gluck, performed at the Nationaltheater, Berlin.
27 July
The Nationaltheater am Gendarmenmarkt is destroyed by fire; numerous stage settings designed by Schinkel lost.
19 November
Friedrich Wilhelm III instructs Graf von Bruhl, Generalintendant der Königlichen Schauspiele, to initiate preparations for the reconstruction of the building, henceforth referred to as the Schauspielhaus.
Winter
Schinkel prepares the Grosse Bebauungsplan (master plan) for central Berlin, incorporating new hospitals, warehouses, markets, streets and canals; not realized.
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1818
April
Schinkel designs the new Schauspielhaus at the Gendarmenmarkt; executed, 1819-1821; opened, 26 May 1821; exterior refurbished, 1883-1884; drastic remodeling of interior, 1904-1905; original interior of Konzertsaal restored by 1935; interior gutted, exterior severely damaged during World War II; restoration in progress, entire interior to become one large concert hall. Location: Berlin/DDR, Platz der Akademie.
Summer
The sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch returns from Italy and establishes permanent residence in Berlin; frequent collaboration between Schinkel and Rauch in subsequent years.
18 August
The royal guard occupies its quarters in the Neue Wache.
Schinkel designs a war memorial for the Kreuzberg, south of Berlin, in commemoration of Prussia's participation in the War of Liberation
(1813-1815). Executed in cast-iron, 1819-1820; dedicated, 1821; landscaping added later; high platform and stairs added (1878) by Heinrich Strack (1805-1880). Location: Berlin/West Tempelhof near Zentralflughafen.
Schinkel designs a series of houses and shops for the extension of the Wilhelmstrasse, north of the Unter den Linden, including the Marschallbrücke across the Spree River. Partially executed, 1819-1822; individual units altered; demolished 1867; bridge replaced.
Schinkel designs new gatehouses for the Hallesche Tor at the Belle Alliance Platz (formerly Rondeel) and proposes the redevelopment of the area; not realized.
Schinkel proposes the renovation and remodeling of the interiors of the two churches at the Gendarmenmarkt. Berlin; not realized.
Schinkel designs the parish church of Gross-Beeren. Executed, 1818-1820; restored, 1930; damaged during World War II; restored. Location:
Gross-Beeren, near Teltow/DDR.
Schinkel submits proposals for the reform of architectural education (Reform des staatlichen Architekturunterrichtes) at the Bauakademie. Berlin.
1819
Schinkel is appointed a member of Prussia's Technische Deputation im Ministeriurn für Handel, Gewerhe und Bauwesen, a state agency for the promotion of commerce, industry, and building construction, directed by Peter Christian Beuth.
9 September
Schinkel is made an honorary member of the Königlich Baverische Polytechnische Verein, Munich.
Publication of the first portfolio of Schinkel's designs of projected and executed works, Sammlung architektonischer Entwürfe (28 portfolios issued intermittently until 1840).
Schinkel travels to East Prussia to inspect the Marienburg (1308-1457), formerly the principal seat of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order. He submits to the king recommendations and designs for the restoration of the great refectory (Remter) and its facade. Executed after 1845; reconstruction and conservation work continued throughout nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; parts destroyed during World War II; partially restored; now museum. Location: Malbork, Poland.
Schinkel designs a new bridge to replace the Hundebrücke over the Kupfergrahen in Berlin. Executed, 1819-1823; known as the Schlossbrücke. Eight sculpture groups on pedestals installed, 1853-1857; removed and stored, 1943; not yet replaced. Bridge damaged during World War II; restored 1950ff.; now Marx-Engels-Brücke. Location: Berlin/DDR, connecting Unter den Linden and Marx-Engels-Platz.
Schinkel submits to the king a design for a new church at the Spittelmarkt, Berlin; not realized.
Schinkel designs the remodeling of the facade of the Dom am Lustgarten, Berlin. Executed, 1820-1822; building demolished, 1893. New Domkirche, 1894-1904, by Julius Raschdorff; badly damaged during World War II; partially restored.
The sculptor Friedrich Tieck (1776-1851), a lifelong friend of Schinkel now residing in Berlin, executes a marble portrait bust of Schinkel. Exhibited after his death in the peristyle of the Museum am Lustgarten; now in the National-Galerie, Berlin/DDR.
Gasparo Spontini (1774-1851), formerly a conductor in Paris, becomes Generalmusikdirektor of the royal opera in Berlin. Schinkel designs stage scenery for his opera Olympia.
30 December
Theodor Fontane, poet and author of Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg (pub. 1862-1882), is born at Neuruppin (dies in Berlin, 1898).
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